St. Olav's Cathedral, Trondheim

St. Olav's Cathedral in Trondheim is a stone building with a western facade decorated with numerous carved figures. These decorations show holy persons, saints, and characters from Norwegian history arranged across multiple levels.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1070 over the burial site of King Olav II and lasted about 2 centuries. This made it one of the largest medieval structures in Northern Europe.

The cathedral marks the end point of a pilgrimage route where thousands of people arrive each year from different places. Pilgrims follow ancient paths through Norway and gather here to complete their journey.

The cathedral is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM during summer months, with guided tours available in multiple languages. It is wise to wear comfortable shoes since exploring the interior involves walking through a large space.

Among the medieval religious sculptures on the western facade is a stone carving showing the face of musician Bob Dylan. This modern addition was inserted during restoration work in the 20th century.

Location: Trondheim municipality

Inception: 1902

Architects: Axel Guldahl

GPS coordinates: 63.42530,10.39250

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:44